-- YARDAGE: 6,550 from back tees, 6,101 from middle, 4,878 from front.

-- HISTORY: Designed by Von Hagge-Devlin group and opened in 1972. Redesigned in 1989 by Carl Litton.

-- COMMENTS: The Carolina Club has seen homes grow up around its fairways since it opened in 1972. Despite all that has gone on around it, the course has remained a sound test for better players and tough test for intermediate and beginners.

Originally called Holiday Springs, the Carolina Club took its new name in 1988 when it was purchased by Franklin Golf Properties. In 1989, course architect Carl Litton gave the course its current layout.

A recent trip to the course found it in overall good condition. The fairways were well manicured and the ball sat up nicely. The greens were in decent shape, though a bit slow. Most of the greens held approach shots well. A good supply of yardage markers from tee to green made gauging distance easy and that took much of the guessing out of club selection.

And club selection is important at Carolina Club, which can play tricky. It is not the kind of course you can pull out the driver and whack away. Water comes into play on 12 holes and out-of-bounds stakes bristle on 13 holes. On many of the holes, the best choice off the tee may be an iron to ensure the ball stays in play.

The front nine challenges you with three par-5 holes and three par-3s. The longest par 5 plays just 517 yards from the back tee. The longest par 3 is just 177 yards. But don't let the distances fool you - accuracy is a must. The greens are small, bunkers are in play on every approach shot and there is not much room for error. Accuracy is the key to a good score on the front nine.

The back nine lets you breath easier and have some fun since the holes are a bit more forgiving if your shots are not dead on line. However, the 10th is a tough way to start, with its half-island green. The approach is tricky, especially if the wind is behind you. You can't be long, short or right or you'll be looking for your ball with the fish.

Hole Nos. 12 through 15 provide a wonderful stretch, with each hole comparing well with any of the top holes on other are courses. The 12th is a par 3 that plays 188 yards, normally into the wind, to a narrow green with bunkers protecting it. The 13th is a long par-4 at 436 yards. Placement of the drive is essential here because there is a tall tree in the left center of the fairway that can block an approach shot.

The par-5 14th plays 531 yards. While there is plenty of room off the tee for a mistake, it's the second shot on this hole that is difficult. Water cuts across this dogleg left fairway roughly 175 yards from the green. A short hitter has a tough decision: go for it or lay up. The 15th might be one of the best par 4 holes around. It is 445 yards and calls for a long, accurate tee shot. Trees and out-of-bounds on the right and water on the left will penalize any errant shots.

While the $60 it costs to play Carolina Club this time of year may seem a bit pricey, the golfer gets a decent value since the course is in good shape and provides a stiff challenge. Locals may want to wait until May when the summer rates kick in.